Lay Down
Melanie
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Lay down lay down, let it all down Let your white birds smile up at the Ones who stand and frown Lay down lay down, let it all down Let your white birds smile up at the Ones who stand and frown We were so close, there was no room We bled inside each others wounds We all had caught the same disease And we all sang the songs of peace chorus So raise the candles high cause if you Don't we could stay black against the night Oh raise them higher again and if you Do we could stay dry against the rain chorus We were so close, there was no room We bled inside each others wounds We all had caught the same disease And we all sang the songs of peace Some came to sing, some came to pray Some came to keep the dark away So raise the candles high Cause if you don't we could stay Black against the sky Oh oh raise them higher again And if you do we could stay dry against the rain chorus
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10 facts about this song
Artist History"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melanie Safka, who is professionally known as Melanie. She came into prominence in the late 1960s-early 70s with a string of hits like "Brand New Key," "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma," and this song.
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Album & ReleaseThe song was released in 1970 as the second single from Melanie's third album "Candles in the Rain."
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Song Inspiration"Lay Down" was inspired by Melanie's experience performing at Woodstock in 1969. The candle imagery in the lyrics was prompted by the sight of concertgoers lifting lit candles during her set.
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Chart Performance"Lay Down" was Melanie's first Top Ten hit in the US, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at #1 in Australia and Canada.
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Track CompositionThe song features a full rock-band arrangement and a gospel choir, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had recently had a hit with "Oh Happy Day."
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Song LengthThe version of "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" that most radio stations played was a shortened version of the song, running just over 3:30 minutes. The album version, however, runs more than seven minutes with extended instrumental and choral passages.
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Cover VersionsMany artists have covered "Lay Down" over the years, including Mott The Hoople on their 1971 album "Brain Capers" and the Italian singer Mina.
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Legacy"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is indelibly associated with the Woodstock festival and is often played in documentaries and features about the event. The song also helped establish Melanie's popular image as a kind of Hippie Earth Mother.
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RecognitionIn 2007, Melanie's version of "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was listed as one of the Top 40 Most Psychedelic Songs of All Time by Mojo magazine.
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Live PerformancesEven after 50 years of its release, Melanie often performs "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" in her live shows, and it remains one of her most beloved and requested songs.
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Citation
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"Lay Down Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/16045042/Melanie/Lay+Down>.
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